French photographer Rehahn and a group of artists and entrepreneurs are pushing to turn Phan Boi Chau Street in Hoi An’s old French Quarter into Rue des Arts.

Cover photo of a book by French photographer Rehahn, who along with a group of other artists and businesses plan to turn Phan Boi Chau Street in the old part of town into a street of arts, Rue des Arts. Photo courtesy Rehahn

They want the Rue Des Arts to be recognised as a hub for original, high-value creative works.

Given the numerous businesses, in the old town selling pirated copies of originals by hard-working artists, it is difficult for visitors to know where to buy authentic work guaranteed by artists. The group wants the ancient town to take a lead in stamping out this nationwide problem.

Issuing a free guide to Hoi An’s Rue des Arts to celebrate the culture and art of Viet Nam would help visitors immerse themselves in the city’s creative scene. It would include such stops as the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum, March Gallery, Hoi An Photo Tour and Gallery, Phap Gallery, Village Craft Planet and Ly Ly Gallery, as well as the elegant Brother’s Café and Mia Coffee, the oldest Western-style coffee shops in the town.

The street regularly hosts performance artists, including the performance of the Cơ Tu ethnic group – a demonstration of tribal culture, traditional dance, costume and music.

Formerly known as Courbet Street after the French admiral who led a victory over China, Phan Boi Chau was once the main street of the French Quarter, a dock for ships transporting spices, silks, pepper, honey, porcelain and cotton. 

The street has now been reclaimed as the centre of the French Quarter, and also of the town’s art and culture.

Réhahn is a photographer born in Normandy, France. He has made Hoi An his home in 2011, where he established the Precious Heritage Art Gallery Museum at 26 Phan Boi Chau.

The 250sq.m space is home to more than 30 authentic traditional costumes, 200 photos, precious artifacts and stories translated in French, English and Vietnamese. It is the culmination of five years of exploration of Viet Nam’s 54 nationalities.

The ancient French colonial house is situated in the UNESCO-recognised part of Hoi An. 

VNS